Diagnosis and Treatment of Rabbit Oral Cavity Diseases

Abstract

Bolesti usne šupljine smatraju se najcešcim poremecajima u kunica kucnih ljubimaca. Kunici su dvojezupci koji u gornjoj celjusti imaju iza sjekutica dva rudimentarna zuba, tzv. zaglodnjaka. Nemaju ocnjake, a izmedu sjekutica i pretkutnjaka postoji velika dijastema. Zbog kontinuiranog rasta zubiju kunici su vrlo skloni dentalnim poremecajima. Neadekvatan smještaj i hranidba znacajno utjecu na stecenu bolest zubiju kunica. Najcešca patologija usne šupljine kunica je: malokluzija sjekutica, malokluzija i prerasli pretkutnjaci i kutnjaci, stecena bolest zubiju, apscesi lica, periodontalna patologija te posljedicno opstrukcija nazolakrimalnog kanalica. Vecina klinickih simptoma bolesti zubiju kunica je nespecificna: anoreksija, gubitak tjelesne mase, neuredno krzno, slinjenje te iscjedak iz oka. Pregled usne šupljine može se obaviti bez sedacije, ali za sigurniju dijagnozu je ista potrebna. Takoder, radiološka dijagnostika je neizostavni dio dijagnostike bolesti usne šupljine u kunica. Opca anestezija ponekad je potrebna za skracivanje sjekutica, a uvijek je indicirana za korekciju pretkutnjaka i kutnjaka, ekstrakcije zuba te kiruršku obradu apscesa. Izbor antibiotske terapije najbolje je temeljiti na izdvajanju uzrocnika i antibiogramu. U poslijeoperacijskom periodu važna je adekvatna analgezija, tekucinska terapija, smanjivanje stresa te primjena prokinetika.Dental disease is considered as one of the most common disorders seen in pet rabbits. Rabbits are lagomorphs which have two larger incisors and two rudimentary maxillary incisors (the peg teeth). They have no canine teeth and a long diastema between the incisors and the premolars. Due to the continuous growth of their teeth, rabbits are very susceptible to dental abnormalities. Inappropraite husbandry and diet are associated with several acquired dental problems in pet rabbits. The most common dental problems are incisor overgrowth, premolar and molar overgrowth, acquired dental disease, facial abscesses, periodontal disease and nasolacrimal duct pathology. Many of the signs of dental disease are non-specific: anorexia, weight loss, ptyalism, ocular discharge and facial swelling. An initial dental examination can be carried out in the conscious animal, but the examination under deep sedation or anaesthesia is better choice. Radiography is an essential part of a comprehensive oral examination. General anesthesia is necessary in most cases of tooth-height reduction of incisors, and always for occlusal adjustment of the premolars and molars, teeth extractions or abcess debridment. Appropriate antibiotic treatment should be selected based on aerobic and anaerobic culture and sensitivity. Analgesia, fluids, prokinetics and minimizing stress are very important in postoperative period